Baking The Best Banana Loaf

Keeping things 100% real with you guys, Baking isn’t my strong point. I lose patience, I’m too lazy to measure things and I like to think my strength lies in the tasting. However, not one to waste things and with a bunch of banana’s getting too ripe, I decided to channel my inner Mary Berry and slap up one of my favourite ever cakes… the Banana Cake. Also known as Banana Loaf. Also known as Banana Bread.

Not only does this taste incredible, It’s so easy to make. You really can’t go very wrong and it doesn’t take long to whip up. So you want to know, step by step how to make this incredible Banana Loaf, then keep reading!

// You Will Need \\

14og of Softened Butter. Plus extra for the tin.

140g of Caster Sugar

140g of Self-Raising Flour

1 Tsp of Baking Powder

2 Large Eggs

2 Very Ripe Bananas, Mashed

~ Optional Extras For Decoration ~

50g of Icing Sugar

Dried Banana Chips

// How To Make \\

Firstly you’ll need to pre heat your oven. 180c/ 160c Fan/ Gas Mark 4

Then butter a loaf tin on both the sides and the bottom. Then line with parchment paper. Trust me, the butter makes the parchment paper stick… It’s worth buttering that tin!

Cream together the butter and the sugar until light and fluffy. In normal people terms, ‘cream together’ means mix together. I just mixed it with a spoon… it takes no longer than 10 minutes.

Slowly add the 2 beaten eggs and some of the flour. Mix together and then add the rest of the flour. Doing it in stages like this prevents your entire kitchen looking like a cocaine factory has exploded in your house.

Then add the baking powder & the mashed bananas and mix until all blended together.

Pour the mixture into your loaf tin and place in the centre of the oven. Cooking time will depend on your each individual ovens. I would say average is about 35-40 minutes. So cook it for about 30 mins, then check it. Remove from the oven once a skewer can be placed in the loaf and comes out clean.

Cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then remove and place on a wire rack. If you’re going to decorate, wait until the cake is completely cool until decorating.

~ For The Decor ~

Mix the Icing Sugar with 2-3 Tsp of water to make a runny icing. Pour on top of the loaf and sprinkle on the dried banana chips.

And voila, there you have it, one quick & easy banana loaf. The best way to serve this, is whilst it’s still a little warm with a cuppa. You’ll notice I didn’t decorate mine. I feel the icing sugar turns it from a Banana Loaf to a Lemon Drizzle inspired cake. But that’s the great thing with this recipe, it’s very versatile.

I followed the BBC Good Food Recipe to make this. For once in my life, a bake actually turned out well! Go on & give it a try, it’s definitely worth it!